Culture10 is a curated programme of cultural events and festivals across the North East region.
Our Cyborg Future?
Image credit: The Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory, University College London
Our Cyborg Future? looked at the shrinking divide between us and the technology we use. From prosthetic body parts, to smart textiles and wearable computing, a range of technologies is penetrating the different ‘skins’ we surround ourselves with - from our biological skin, to the clothes we wear, the buildings we live in, and the communication networks we connect through.
The Cyborg show ranged from robots designed to help elderly people, through state-of-the-art devices for health, care, fashion and sport, to devices that connect our minds to communication networks.
Our Cyborg Future? invited you to discuss: 'Is this the future we want?’. There was encounters and conversations at every turn. The word cyborg combines 'cybernetics', which is about automated control systems, and 'organism'. The word cyborg was first coined in 1960 to describe a human-machine hybrid. But the idea has been written, drawn and illustrated since sixteen century. From Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis' to Philip K Dick's novels to Dr Who's arch enemy, the Cyber Men.
In recent times, the need to work in extreme environments has spurred attempts to overcome human limitations. Suits for space walking, deep sea diving and flying advanced fighters meet extreme but very practical needs. But cyborg-like technologies are emerging to meet civilian needs, too. Our Cyborg Future? highlighted state-of-the-art prosthetic limbs, artificial organs, electromechanical devices and machines for health, care, fashion and sport. Artists and designers play with ‘technical textiles’ ‘intelligent jewellery’ and ‘smart architecture’.
Our Cyborg Future? brought together this evidence and presented it without undue comment. The idea was to start a debate along the lines: Is this where we want to go? Communities throughout the North East region were involved in discussions and workshops during the build-up to the exhibition itself. Associated events were also organised at adjacent venues throughout the region, including Cafe Scientific, and the Centre for Life in Newcastle.
The exhibition took place in Newcastle between 10 August - 27 October 2007 at the Victorian Great Hall in the Newcastle’s Discovery Museum - the main science museum for the North East of England.
Our Cyborg Future? formed part of North East England's world-class festival and events programme.
